Exercise is great, but what if you don’t like it?

My friend and I were out for breakfast the other day and we started talking about the importance of self-care. We discussed friends our age that due to self-care negligence are suffering from a number of maladies. We then discussed the perception by others that just because we both work out doesn’t mean we love it, it simply means we’d rather not deal with the consequences if we don’t.

After 20 plus years in the fitness industry I saw my share of clients who suffered with a number of preventable diseases most common, high blood pressure and diabetes. The truth is that for many of them (other than Type 1 clients) the diseases were 100% preventable. 100%! Yet, after years of neglect, the body begins to shut down and many feel it’s too late to intervene. It’s never too late.

I was never an athlete. I wasn’t raised being active and never did much of anything until at the young age of 16 I found myself 50 plus pounds overweight. I started reading and implementing what I learned about nutrition and exercise. One year later, I lost the extra weight and never felt better.

The hardest part of being or becoming a healthy weight is maintenance. I can say with certainty that the way I felt 50 pounds heavier, versus the way I felt after, set the stage for a lifelong dedication to exercise and eating well. To this day, I continue learning. There are also plenty of times I need to push myself to exercise, like now I should be running, I’m writing. I’ll go, I’ll go.

Along the way I’ve picked up some nuggets that help me stay on track and get my butt out of bed on those mornings where my toasty bed begs me to stay. See if some of these may help you.

1. We all want to feel good. Regular exercise combined with a healthy diet feels good.

2. We all want to look good. There is no doubt that exercise and a healthy diet result in looking vibrant and well.

3. We all want to fully engage in our lives. I have seen too many people avoid certain situations because their weight kept them from participating. Life is too short and the older you get the more you realize it. Becoming engaged starts with becoming active.

4. We all have moments where we just don’t want to. There are times when you need to accept you don’t want to and move on or times you need to kick yourself in the arss and just do it! You need to understand the difference between giving your body a day of rest or giving up on your body.

5. Unrealistic expectations are the undoing of many well intentioned exercisers. None of us, no matter how we exercise will ever have a perfect body, ever. So what? Exercising automatically kicks up self-confidence. When you move more you feel better about yourself. Let that be enough. It’s not a competition.

6. Have fun. For the love of God, find something you enjoy. And don’t say, “There’s nothing I like.” If you say that it’s because you haven’t found it yet. Maybe you don’t like crowds, so stop joining a gym. Maybe you don’t like exercise clothing, don’t wear it. You don’t like running? Biking? Swimming? Then don’t. There’s plenty, literally hundreds of options. Create a list, try everything, dancing,. martial arts, hiking, whatever. Find something. If you can’t, call me, we’ll talk.

7. Make the most out of your life. The truth is that if you really, really want to feel your best, you must care for yourself the best. No one can take better care of you than you! So many people give, give, give and forget themselves in the mix of things. Carve out some me time, even if it means 15 minutes of stretching before bed. You will limit the quality of your life if you don’t take care of yourself, period.

8. Find a role model. My role model is a gorgeous woman who is likely now in her 70’s and has been an active woman since I met her over 20 years ago. She’s always got a smile on her face, a kind thought to share and is regularly active. She’s impressive. I want to be her when I’m her age.

9. Be a role model. If any would have ever told me that someday I’d be a mentor for exercise I would have laughed, a lot. By changing your life, you may inspire someone else. Trust me, if you’re struggling with eating well and getting active, there are likely people around you who struggle with the same. Be the change, start the movement and watch the lives you can change, beginning with you.

10 Set a dream activity. Ever wanted to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro? Go on a safari in South Africa? Bike Australia? Participate in a fundraising walk? Create the steps to make it happen. It will be so cool when you do. I know because I’ve done it.

I hope this helps if you’re at a crossroads with getting yourself on a healthy track. Please don’t wait until January 1st, because statistically those resolutions are short lived. Baby steps today, climbing mountains tomorrow, why not?

Here’s to never wishing for more hours in a day, rather making the most of them!

I wish I liked to exercise more than I do but I know how important it is. I play tennis almost every day and am also really enjoying Jazzercise now. That picture above pretty much says it all, and I will remember that next time I’m not in the mood to go to class. Thanks for these great tips.

Nicki

October 1, 2013

Thanks Lois. We all have those days, but it sounds like you’re pretty active. Yay you!

John N.

October 1, 2013

Thank you for the great ideas Nicki and the reminders! I keep needing to be reminded!

Nicki

October 1, 2013

You’re welcome John! I think we all need to be reminded at one time or another!

TO be honest, I don’t think many people actually LIKE to work out, but they like the way they feel AFTERWARDS. I myself work out every single day not because I find pleasure in sweating my guts out and exhausting myself, but because after I am done, I get a second wind that keeps me going for the rest of the day! 🙂

Nicki

October 2, 2013

I so agree GiGi! When I’m in my toasty bed, that’s what I think about, how good it feels when I’m finished and that sense of accomplishment.

Susan G

October 3, 2013

I found for me, the process of having to get dressed, climb in my car and drive to a gym meant I would often find excuses not to go. The solution for me was to take advantage of the trails and parks in my neighborhood. I literally go out the front door and have a great place to walk or bike. It is harder to find an excuse when your gym is directly outside your door. It also cuts the amount of time you need since you don;t have to drive to get there.

I have also found that a good podcast or a good playlist makes the time go much faster. I often find myself walking farther so that I can hear the end of the This American Life or Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me episode I am listening too. And I will bike around the block an extra time to hear the end of a favorite song. (And if another one I like starts, I will do another lap….)

Nicki

October 3, 2013

Exactly Susan! You knew what didn’t work and found what did. I recent study just explained the power of music (personal favs) when working out. My hunch is podcasts are the same. I’ll have to try that!

Great tips! I don’t “dread” working out but I do have to be more prepared and motivated to make it happen with two toddlers to work around (or with). I also have to keep in mind that regular exercise helps so much with the poo feeling I have right now after my first mile run in a while and a stomach full of crap! Ugh! Thanks so much for the tips and motivation!

Nicki

October 30, 2013

Kristin, Nothing’s worse than the “poo” feeling. Classic but reality that can screw up a perfectly good run!

jackie

October 31, 2013

Working out can become addictive only its a positive addiction. Once you get it into your blood, your body actually will overrule your brain. Your brain says no but your body says yes yes yes…you will feel good once you are done. Getting a workout partner is a big part of sticking to a routine when you first get started. I love being able to say that I love working out — but I do have my days that its not that easy. I know how I feel when I’m done so I just don’t let my brain decide if I’m working out–the decision is my bodies decision.

Nicki

November 2, 2013

Jackie, that’s always been my motivation. Knowing I good I feel when I’m finished! Thanks!

Marianne

November 7, 2013

I love to exercise. I feel alive and healthy whenever I am outdoors working in the garden and yard, hiking, biking, skiing, sailing. Exercise is a way of life for me. Rather than saying, “I can’t find the time to exercise” I can’t understand how anyone can live day after day without exercising. My times in the pool and the gym are just to cross train and keep injury free. Out doors and interacting with Mother nature is the best place to be for your body and your mind.

Nicki

November 7, 2013

Thanks Marianne! I think so much has to do with the “work” approach. People don’t view the positive, they typically view the negative, “It’s hard, I’m tired, I don’t have time….” and so on. The benefits far out weight the negatives and it’s simply waking up one day and realizing, life is passing you by if you’re idle.